SECRETARY OF THE SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF SINGAPORE BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.15 p.m.

Mr John Ede (Tanglin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The objects and reasons for this private Bill are incorporated in the Bill itself and are set out in the recitals. Briefly they are as follows.

In January, 1949, there was set up a Synod in the Diocese of Singapore as the local body, which is the proper body to manage the land and premises to which it is entitled. Until now, under the Bishop of Singapore Ordinance of 1911, the Anglican Bishop of Singapore has been the body corporate vested with the power to manage the buildings belonging to the Diocese. This is not really the function of the Bishop but the function of the Synod of the Diocese which, as I have already stated, is a local body properly responsible for conveyancing, collection of rents, payments of quit rents on properties and the general carrying out of these duties.

In clause 5 of this Bill, it is expressly stated that the Bishop of Singapore shall be divested of the lands hereditaments and premises specified in the Schedule and all rights estates and interests therein and these shall be vested in the Corporation, that is to say, the Secretary of the Synod of the Diocese of Singapore.

Sir, this is a straightforward Bill and I think there is no need to add anything more.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and such Members as may be nominated by the Committee of Selection. [Mr John Ede].